Ewing-based National Guard soldiers return from Kosovo after 10-month deployment

LAKEHURST — Forty-six members of a Ewing-based National Guard company were greeted by cheering family members and friends this afternoon as they returned from a deployment in Kosovo.

Just after 1 p.m., a white school bus arrived at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst with the National Guardsmen of the 150th Aviation, Company B.

The soldiers were deployed to Kosovo in November 2011 to support Operation Joint Guardian Kosovo Force (KFOR), a NATO peacekeeping regiment charged with maintaining order in the eastern European country.

The aviation unit, nicknamed “Black Sheep," delivered supplies to soldiers and Multi-National Forces in the area. The unit also worked with KFOR ground forces, providing ammunition and supplies, transporting military police reinforcements and providing aerial coverage.

The bus made a circle on the runway before stopping in front of the hangar and the crowd of cheering, misty-eyed friends and family members.

As the guardsman stepped off the bus, they walked down a column of fellow soldiers in fatigues before being welcomed by their families.

“This deployment was a lot better for me because I knew what to expect,” Mary Vickers of Hamilton said, whose son, Sgt. Thomas Vickers, had previously served in Iraq.

The 25-year-old Vickers was welcomed by his entire family, including step-siblings who passed back and forth a bright red, “Welcome Back, Tommy!” sign.

When Chief Warrant Officer Alexander Mulqueen got off the bus, he was greeted by a sign reading “Welcome Back, Andrew!” used previously to welcome back his older brother, Cpl. Andrew Mulqueen, on his return home.

“Andrew” was crossed out and replaced with “Alex.”

“You have to put the Army on hold for a few days,” Mulqueen said. “It’s a long journey, sitting on an airplane and sitting around waiting to fly back. You just have to take that Army uniform off, put it away, and not think about the Army for a few days.”